Dan Gilmore Photo

JOHNSON CITY – The Greene Trojans pulled off the biggest upset of the season, beating the previously undefeated Sidney Warriors 24-23 in Saturday’s Class D, Section IV semifinal game held at Johnson City High School.

The boys of Greene didn’t the win as an upset through.

“I think it was an upset to most outside of our players,” said said Trojans’ head coach Dave Gorton. “We have lost a few close games in odd plays against them recently so we felt confident we would win. Our boys expected to win the game and I don’t think our players think it’s an upset. All the coaches are very proud of our players.”

The Trojans’ defense forced Sidney’s quarterback Ryan Harris to his second lowest yard and completion total of the season, allowing the QB to record 236 yards passing on 15 of 30 attempts. Greene picked off five of Harris’ passes, matching his interception total through the regular season.

Logan Kennedy grabbed two of the five takeaways for the Trojans, leading Greene in the column.

Sidney took the first quarter lead, scoring the only touchdown in the opening 12 minutes of play. By the end of the half, the Warriors’ tacked on another score while Greene added one touchdown of their own to show 14-6 on the scoreboard.

By the intermission, Harris tossed a touchdown pass to his receiver Peyton Mosher and the Warriors picked up a score on the ground from the standout running back David Gannon. Greene’s score came from quarterback Nate Erickson.

Gannon ended the afternoon with 18 carries for 34 yards and the one first half touchdown.

In the second half, the Trojans’ closed in on Sidney. Greene’s Erickson found Tristan Austin down field for a touchdown in the third, bringing the 14-6 deficit down to two points with a quarter to play.

The first four minutes of the fourth turned into a shoot-out between the two teams as three touchdowns were exchanged in the time span.

To start the final 12 minutes, the Trojans’ started with the ball on the Warriors’ three yard line. 10 seconds later, Erickson punched the ball into the end zone to give Greene their first lead of the game at 18-14.

A Harris-Trenton Budine connection ended the next drive in the end zone as Sidney marched down the field, needing a minute and half to take the 21-18 advantage.

The final touchdown of the scoring stretch ended with Greene as Erickson once again passed for the touchdown, hooking up with Noah Kennedy to regain the lead for good with eight minutes remaining in the contest.

Sidney tacked a safety in the last three minutes of play, scoring the last points of the game but it was not enough as the Trojans captured the win.

Greene will see Tioga in the Class D final, a rematch from the last week of the regular season. Tioga is reigning Class D Champion, taking down powerhouse Sidney in convincing fashion a year ago. The Trojans will be looking to avenge the week eight 41-14 loss to the Tigers.